WO2008015745A1

WO2008015745A1 - Optical path switching device

Info

Publication number: WO2008015745A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/315370
Authority: WO
Inventors: Masayuki Togawa; Junichiro Asano
Original assignee: Nabtesco Corporation
Priority date: 2006-08-03
Filing date: 2006-08-03
Publication date: 2008-02-07
Also published as: CA2660055A1; US20100074618A1; JPWO2008015745A1

Abstract

An optical path switching device is provided to suppress loss of light for monitoring and to improve confinement efficiency of light for an output optical fiber better than a conventional device. The optical path switching device (20) is provided with a platform (22) set in a housing (21) and on which various optical components are mounted, an optical fiber collimators (23, 24) as an optical input means, an optical fiber collimator (25) as an optical output means, a parallel prism (26) for switching optical paths among the optical fiber collimators (23, 24, 25) in accordance with its own state change, and light receiving elements (31, 32) for detecting a part of the light input from the optical fiber collimators (23, 24) to monitor it, so that a position of the parallel prism (26) is controlled in accordance with a monitored result. The light receiving elements (31, 32) are configured to detect a part of the light in a radial direction on the outer side.

Description

Specification

Optical path switching device

Technical field

The present invention relates to an optical path switching device that is used as, for example, an optical device in an optical communication system and switches an optical path.

Background art

Conventionally, an optical path switching device that switches an optical path by mechanically moving an optical switch prism in and out of a light path (moving it between a position in an optical path and a position in a non-optical path) There is known a method in which a part of the light is branched at a predetermined ratio by an optical branching device, and the branched light is detected by a light receiving element (for example, see Patent Document 1). O Branch detected by a light receiving element The light amount level of light is monitored via a light receiving circuit. This monitoring result can be used for mechanical movement (moving in and out of the optical path) of the optical switch prism. For example, when the light receiving level detected by the light receiving element is sufficient to satisfy a predetermined amount, a separate control device drives the moving means of the optical switch prism. The optical path can be switched by moving the optical switch prism to a position in the non-optical path.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-21756 (Page 5, Fig. 1)

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] A conventional optical path switching device uses a half mirror as an optical splitter for obtaining monitoring light. This half mirror separates incoming light into transmitted light and reflected light, guides one reflected light to the light receiving element, and guides the other transmitted light to the output optical fiber collimator. The light entering the optical fiber collimator for output is near the axial center of the light beam using the condensing function of the collimator lens (when the light is viewed in cross section, the light is concentrated and the amount of light is large!) It is known that there is a limit to the condensing performance of the collimator lens. The half mirror as an optical branching device in the conventional optical path switching device acts on the entire region of the light beam to split the light, and has a center of the light beam. Even nearby light (that is, light that is effective for confinement in an optical fiber) is partly branched, leading to loss of light. For this reason, the conventional optical path switching device is difficult, although it has good confinement efficiency of light in the optical fiber for output.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problems, and can suppress the loss of light for monitoring and improve the light confinement efficiency with respect to the optical fiber for output as compared with the conventional one. An object is to provide an optical path switching device.

Means for solving the problem

[0006] The optical path switching device of the present invention includes at least one or more optical input means including an optical fiber and a lens for inputting an optical signal, and at least an optical fiber and a lens for outputting the optical signal. One or more light output means, an optical path switching component for switching a light path between the light input means and the light output means according to a change in its own state, and the light input means force for monitoring the input light The optical path switching device in which the optical path switching component is controlled in accordance with a monitoring result of the light. The optical detection component is a radially outer portion of the light. Configure to detect only a part of.

[0007] According to this configuration, the light detection component includes a part of the light input as an optical signal on the radially outer side (that is, a part of the light excluding the vicinity of the axial center effective for confinement in the optical fiber). This is a configuration that detects only. Therefore, the optical path switching device of the present invention can suppress the loss of light for monitoring as compared with the conventional one, and can improve the light confinement efficiency for the output optical fiber as compared with the conventional one.

[0008] Further, the optical path switching device of the present invention comprises light branching means for branching only a part of the light input from the light input means on the radially outer side, and the light detection component is the light branching means. It is configured to detect the branched light.

With this configuration, the optical path switching device of the present invention can reduce the restriction on the mounting position of the light detection component by appropriately setting the position and direction of the light branching means, and increases the degree of freedom in design. be able to.

[0010] Further, in the optical path switching device of the present invention, the light detection component is input from the light input means. It is the structure arrange | positioned in the position into which only a part of radial direction outer side is directly incident among lights.

With this configuration, the optical path switching device of the present invention can eliminate the optical branching means, and can reduce the number of components.

The invention's effect

The present invention can provide an optical path switching device capable of improving the confinement efficiency of an optical signal with respect to an output optical fiber as compared with the conventional one.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an optical communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a side sectional view of the optical path switching device of the optical communication system shown in FIG.

[FIG. 3] (a) Top sectional view of the optical path switching device shown in FIG. 2 (b) Top sectional view of the optical path switching device shown in FIG. 2 in a state different from the state shown in FIG. 3 (a)

FIG. 4 is a top view of the reflection mirror of the optical path switching device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a part of the optical path switching device of the optical communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention having a configuration different from the configuration shown in FIG.

[FIG. 6] (a) Cross-sectional top view of the optical path switching device of the optical communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. (B) FIG. 6 (a) in a state different from the state shown in FIG. ) Cross-sectional top view of the optical path switching device shown in

FIG. 7 is a top view of the glass block of the optical path switching device shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the glass block of the optical path switching device of the optical communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention having a configuration different from the configuration shown in FIG.

[FIG. 9] (a) Top view of an optical path switching device of an optical communication system according to a third embodiment of the present invention (b) FIG. 9 (a) in a state different from the state shown in FIG. ) Cross-sectional top view of the optical path switching device shown in

FIG. 10 is a top view of the reflection mirror of the optical path switching device shown in FIG.

[FIG. 11] (a) Top view of an optical path switching device of an optical communication system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention (b) FIG. 11 (a) in a state different from the state shown in FIG. ) Cross-sectional top view of the optical path switching device shown in

FIG. 12 is a top view of the reflection mirror of the optical path switching device shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a top view of a lens formed with a reflective film in place of the reflective mirror shown in FIG.

14 (a) is a top cross-sectional view of an optical path switching device of an optical communication system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. (B) FIG. 14 (a) in a state different from the state shown in FIG. 14 (a). ) Cross-sectional top view of the optical path switching device shown in

[FIG. 15] (a) Top view of an optical path switching device of an optical communication system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention (b) FIG. 15 (a) in a state different from the state shown in FIG. ) Cross-sectional top view of the optical path switching device shown in

FIG. 16 is a top view of the prism of the optical path switching device shown in FIG.

[FIG. 17] (a) Top view of an optical path switching device of an optical communication system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention (b) FIG. 17 (a) in a state different from the state shown in FIG. ) Cross-sectional top view of the optical path switching device shown in

18 is a top view of the light receiving element of the optical path switching device shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

[0014] 20 optical path switching device

26 Parallel prism (optical path switching component)

31, 32 Light receiving element (light detection component)

40 Optical path switching device

60 Optical path switching device

80 Optical path switching device

180 Optical path switching device

200 Optical path switching device

220 Optical path switching device

240 optical path switching device

280 Optical path switching device

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] (First embodiment)

First, the configuration of the optical communication system according to the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, an optical communication system 10 according to the present embodiment includes an optical transmission device 11 that transmits an optical signal, an optical reception device 12 that receives an optical signal, and transmission by the optical transmission device 11. The optical branching device 13 that branches the optical signal to two lines and the optical signal input from each of the two lines branched by the optical branching device 13 and the optical signal received by the optical receiving device 12 are output. Operation of the optical path switching device 20 so that the optical receiving device 12 receives any one of the optical signals input from each of the two lines branched by the optical branching device 13 And a control device 14 for controlling the control.

As shown in FIG. 2, the optical path switching device 20 is installed on a printed circuit board 15 on which a control device 14 (see FIG. 1) is also installed. The optical path switching device 20 and the control device 14 are electrically connected via a printed board 15.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the optical path switching device 20 includes a housing 21 and a platform 22 that is housed in the housing 21 and mounts various optical components. This platform 22 includes an input optical fiber collimator 23 as an optical input means for inputting an optical signal from one of two lines branched by an optical branching device 13 (see FIG. 1), and an optical branching device. An optical fiber collimator 24 for input as another optical input means for inputting an optical signal of the other power of the two lines branched by 13 and the optical receiver 12 (see FIG. 1). And an output optical fiber collimator 25 as an optical output means for outputting an optical signal. The optical path switching device 20 further has an arrow that is opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow 22a orthogonal to the platform 22 (direction of force from the platform 22 to the printed circuit board 15: hereinafter referred to as the downward direction) and the direction indicated by the arrow 22a. As an optical path switching component that switches the light path according to a change in its position in the direction indicated by 22b (direction direction from the platform 22 to the upper surface side of the casing 21: hereinafter referred to as the upward direction), that is, its own state. Parallel prism 26, an actuator 27 arranged in the downward direction indicated by arrow 22a with respect to parallel prism 26, and moving the parallel prism 26 in the vertical direction indicated by arrows 22a and 22b, and the light traveling direction Right angle prism 28, reflecting mirrors 29 and 30 that reflect all incident light, light receiving elements 31 and 32 as light detection components that detect light, and light that absorbs light Absorbers 33 and 34 are provided.

[0020] The platform 22 includes optical fiber collimators 23 to 25, a right-angle prism 28, and a reflection mirror. , 29, 30, light receiving elements 31, 32, and light absorber 34 are fixed. The light absorber 33 is fixed to the parallel prism 26.

[0021] The optical fiber collimator 23 includes an optical fiber 23a and a lens 23b. Similarly, the optical fiber collimator 24 includes an optical fiber 24a and a lens 24b.

The optical fiber collimator 25 includes an optical fiber 25a and a lens 25b.

[0022] In the parallel prism 26, reflection mirrors 26a and 26b that reflect all of incident light are formed by a film. When the reflective surface is used under total reflection conditions, the film force S for reflection is not particularly required. Furthermore, if an antireflection film is provided on the incident surface, the transmission efficiency can be improved.

In the right-angle prism 28, reflection mirrors 28a and 28b that reflect all of incident light are formed by a film. When the reflective surface is used under total reflection conditions, the film force S for reflection is not particularly required. Furthermore, if an antireflection film is provided on the incident surface, the transmission efficiency can be improved.

[0024] The light receiving elements 31 and 32 are arranged at positions for detecting light upstream of the position of the parallel prism 26 in the light path! Speak.

[0025] The light receiving elements 31 and 32 convert the detected optical signal into an electrical signal and output the electrical signal to the control device 14 (see FIG. 1). In addition, the actuator 27 moves the parallel prism 26 in response to a control signal from the control device 14.

As shown in FIG. 4, only a part of the light 23 A output from the optical fiber collimator 23 on the outer side in the radial direction (hereinafter, described as 5% as an example) is incident on the reflection mirror 29. As a result, 5% of the light 23A output from the optical fiber collimator 23 is reflected and branched. Similarly, the reflecting mirror 30 is output from the optical fiber collimator 24 by being arranged at a position where only a part (5%) of the light radially output from the optical fiber collimator 24 is incident. It branches off reflecting 5% of the light. The light branching ratio can be arbitrarily set depending on the radial position of the reflecting mirror with respect to the light. The settable branching ratio can be set as appropriate, but is practically 0.1 to 20%.

Next, the operation of the optical communication system 10 will be described. The optical signal transmitted by the optical transmission device 11 is branched into two lines by the optical branching device 13 and input to the optical path switching device 20 respectively.

The optical path switching device 20 converts the detected amount of light into an electric signal and outputs it to the control device 14. Then, the control device 14 determines the force / failure force in which the two lines branched by the optical branching device 13 are faulty based on the electric signal input from the optical path switching device 20, and no fault has occurred. The operation of the optical path switching device 20 is controlled so that the optical receiving device 12 receives the input optical signal with the line power.

[0030] Here, "failure" refers to a case where the light quantity level or wavelength of light deviates from a predetermined value. Examples of obstacles include cases where the light level is too large or too small, a wavelength shorter than a predetermined wavelength, or a long wavelength. In order to determine the presence or absence of such a failure, the optical path switching device 20 branches a part of the light by the reflection mirrors 29 and 30, and detects the branched light by the light receiving elements 31 and 32 to monitor the optical signal. It is carried out

Therefore, the optical receiver 12 receives the optical signal through the line between the optical branching device 13 and the optical path switching device 20 in which no failure has occurred.

Hereinafter, the operation of the optical path switching device 20 will be described in detail. The control device 14 calculates the amount of light emitted from the optical fiber collimator 23 based on the electrical signal from the light receiving element 31. Here, the rate at which the reflection mirror 29 reflects the light 23A output from the optical fiber collimator 23 (5% in the above example), the amount of light received by the light receiving element 31, and the amount of light emitted from the optical fiber collimator 23 are shown. Assuming R, pl, and P, respectively, P can be calculated by “Equation 1”.

[Number 1]

P = ^

R

[0033] Then, when the amount of light emitted from the optical fiber collimator 23 is an amount within a predetermined range, the control device 14 determines that there is no failure in the line connected to the optical fiber collimator 23. , The parallel prism 26 is located at the lower end (parallel A control signal is sent to the actuator 27 so as to wait at the position where the system 26 is avoided from the light path (position in the non-light path). Therefore, the actuator 27 causes the parallel prism 26 to stand by at a position in the non-optical path in response to a control signal from the control device 14.

When the parallel prism 26 is at a position in the non-optical path, the light in the optical path switching device 20 travels as shown by the dotted arrow in FIG. In other words, 5% of the light output from the optical fiber collimator 23 is reflected by the reflection mirror 29 and detected by the light receiving element 31, and the remaining 95% is upward with respect to the parallel prism 26 as indicated by the arrow 22b. The direction of travel is changed by the reflecting mirrors 28a and 28b of the right angle prism 28 after passing through the side and input to the optical fiber collimator 25. 5% of the light output from the optical fiber collimator 24 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 30 and detected by the light receiving element 32, and the remaining 95% passes through the upward direction indicated by the arrow 22b with respect to the parallel prism 26. And is absorbed by the light absorber 34.

Therefore, when the control device 14 determines that there is no failure in the line connected to the optical fiber collimator 23, an optical signal received through the line connected to the optical fiber collimator 23 is received by the optical receiving device 12. Is done.

Note that the wavelength of the light reflected by the mirror 29 may be the entire band of the wavelength of the incident light or may be a part thereof.

On the other hand, when the amount of light emitted from the optical fiber collimator 23 is not within a predetermined range, the control device 14 determines that a failure has occurred in the line connected to the optical fiber collimator 23. Then, the control signal is transmitted to the actuator 27 so that the parallel prism 26 moves to the upper end indicated by the arrow 22b in the movement range (position where the parallel prism 26 blocks the light path: position in the optical path). Therefore, the actuator 27 moves the parallel prism 26 to a position in the optical path in accordance with the control signal from the control device 14.

[0038] When the parallel prism 26 is at a position in the optical path, the light in the optical path switching device 20 travels as indicated by the dotted arrow in FIG. That is, 5% of the light output from the optical fiber collimator 23 is reflected by the reflection mirror 29 and detected by the light receiving element 31, and the remaining 95% is absorbed by the light absorber 33 fixed to the parallel prism 26. The 5% of the light output from the optical fiber collimator 24 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 30 and detected by the light receiving element 32, and the remaining 95% is reflected by the reflecting mirrors 26a, 26b and 26 of the parallel prism 26. The traveling direction is changed by the reflecting mirrors 28 a and 28 b of the right-angle prism 28 and input to the optical fiber collimator 25.

[0039] Therefore, when the control device 14 determines that a failure has occurred in the line connected to the optical fiber collimator 23, an optical signal passing through the line connected to the optical fiber collimator 24 is transmitted to the optical receiving device 12. Received.

[0040] Note that the control device 14 constantly monitors whether or not the line connected to the optical fiber collimator 24 has a fault, based on the electrical signal from the light receiving element 32. The

[0041] The monitoring (monitoring) of the optical signal may be performed not only on the amount of light incident on the light receiving element but also on the wavelength, frequency, phase, or encoded signal of the light included in the optical signal. . That is, when the control device 14 detects the wavelength or waveform of a predetermined light itself (frequency, phase, encoded optical signal, etc.), it transmits a control signal to the actuator 27 to switch the optical path. Also good. For example, in a certain optical transmission system, when the transmission speed of an optical signal from the optical transmission device 11 to the optical reception device 12 exceeds lOGbps, the wavelength, frequency, and phase of the optical signal in the optical signal change, resulting in a line failure. There is a system. In such a transmission system, all phenomena that do not function normally can be determined as line faults and the optical path can be switched.

As described above, the optical path switching device 20 branches only a part of the light output from the optical fibers 23 and 24 by the reflecting mirrors 29 and 30 on the radially outer side, and the branched light. Is detected by the light receiving elements 31, 32, so that the loss of light for monitoring is suppressed and the light confinement efficiency for the output optical fiber is improved. In addition, the optical path switching device 20 is provided with light receiving elements 31 and 32 at positions that detect upstream light in the optical path from the position of the parallel prism 26 that is the optical path switching component. Can be improved.

[0043] In addition, since the reflection mirrors 29 and 30 reflect all of the incident light, the optical path switching device 20 can reduce polarization-dependent loss (PDL) and is widely used as the reflection mirrors 29 and 30. A simple mirror can be used.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the optical path switching device 20 arranges the light receiving elements 31 and 32 in the directions indicated by the arrows 22a with respect to the reflection mirrors 29 and 30, respectively. Out The reflection mirrors 29 and 30 may be tilted and fixed with respect to the platform 22 so that a part of the applied light is reflected in the direction indicated by the arrow 22a toward the light receiving elements 31 and 32, respectively. In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the optical path switching device 20 can be reduced in size as compared with the configuration shown in FIG. Further, when the optical path switching device 20 has the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the wiring length from the light receiving elements 31 and 32 to the printed circuit board 15 is shorter than that in the configuration shown in FIG. Compared to the configuration shown in Fig. 3, it is less susceptible to the effects of disturbance noise even when the electrical signal is small.

[0045] The optical path switching device 20 includes members serving as reference surfaces of optical components such as the optical fiber collimators 23 to 25 and the parallel prism 26, that is, the platform 22 that functions as an optical surface plate. The positioning accuracy of optical components can be achieved at the submicron level, and the positional relationship of each optical component can be maintained even when the ambient temperature and humidity change.

[0046] (Second Embodiment)

First, the configuration of the optical communication system according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0047] Of the configuration of the optical communication system according to the present embodiment, the configuration similar to that of the optical communication system 10 (see Fig. 1) according to the first embodiment is described. The same reference numerals as those in FIG.

[0048] The configuration of the optical communication system according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration provided in the optical communication system 10 in place of the optical path switching device 80 shown in Fig. 6 instead of the optical path switching device 20 (see Fig. 3). It is the same.

[0049] The configuration of the optical path switching device 80 is that the reflecting mirrors 8 la and 82a that reflect all of the incident light are made of glass blocks 81 and 82, each of which is formed of a film, by reflecting mirrors 29 and 30 (see FIG. 3). Instead of this, the optical path switching device 20 has the same configuration as that in which the fixed positions of the light receiving elements 31 and 32 with respect to the platform 22 are changed.

[0050] The glass blocks 81 and 82 are fixed to the platform 22.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 7, the glass block 81 is arranged at a position where only a part of the outer periphery in the radial direction of the light 23A output from the optical fiber collimator 23 is incident, thereby providing an optical fiber collimator. A part of the light 23A output from 23 is reflected. Also, The lath block 81 has an angle 81C formed by the incident surface 81A of the light 23A output from the optical fiber collimator 23 and the reflective surface 81B, for example, 45 degrees, and the incident surface 81A is in the traveling direction of the light 23A. It is arranged so as to be substantially vertical. The same applies to the force glass block 82 described for the glass block 81.

Next, the operation of the optical communication system according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0053] The operation of the optical communication system according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as the operation of optical communication system 10 (see Fig. 1) according to the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. .

[0054] The light in the optical path switching device 80 is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 6 (a) when the control device 14 determines that a line connected to the optical fiber collimator 23 has failed. The process proceeds as indicated by the arrow, and when the control device 14 determines that a failure has occurred in the line connected to the optical fiber collimator 23, the process proceeds as indicated by the dotted arrow in FIG. 6 (b).

As described above, the optical path switching device 80 branches only a part of the light output from the optical fibers 23 and 24 by the glass blocks 81 and 82 on the radially outer side. Since the light is detected by the light receiving elements 31 and 32, the loss of light for monitoring is suppressed, and the light confinement efficiency for the output optical fiber is improved.

Further, in the optical path switching device 80, the glass block 81 is arranged so that the incident surface 81A of the glass block 81 is substantially perpendicular to the traveling direction of the light 23A output from the optical fiber collimator 23. Therefore, an inexpensive antireflection film can be applied to the incident surface 81A of the glass block 81. In the optical path switching device 80, since the reflection mirror 81a of the glass block 81 reflects all of the incident light, the reflection mirror 81a can be formed of a general inexpensive reflection film. In addition, when the refractive index of the glass block 81 is 1.5 and the incident angle of light determined by the angle between the optical axis of the light and the reflecting surface 81a exceeds 41.9 degrees, the total reflection condition is satisfied and the reflection Even without a film, the reflectivity is 100%. Further, the optical path switching device 80 has a smaller installation area on the platform 22 than that of the thin reflection mirror 29 (see FIG. 3) like the optical path switching device 20 (see FIG. 3) according to the first embodiment. Since the large glass block 81 is provided, the fixing work of the reflecting mirror 81a to the platform 22 can be facilitated, and the fine adjustment work of the inclination of the reflecting mirror 81a to the platform 22 can be performed. It is reduced. In addition, the optical path switching device 80 is provided with a glass block 81 having a large installation area on the platform 22 that is not the thin reflecting mirror 29, as in the optical path switching device 20, and therefore, due to defects such as adhesive used for fixing and deterioration of characteristics. As a result, it is possible to prevent the reflection mirror 81a from being inclined with respect to the platform 22 with the passage of time, and the optical signal detection reliability can be maintained for a long time. Although the glass block 81 has been described, the same applies to the glass block 82.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 10, the glass block 81 may have an angle 81C of less than 45 degrees. In the optical path switching device 80, when the angle 81C of the glass block 81 is less than 45 degrees, the light intensity received by the light receiving element 31 is narrowed and the light intensity is increased, so the light receiving efficiency by the light receiving element 31 is improved. can do. The optical path switching device 80 can reduce the light receiving area of the light receiving element 31 because the light beam received by the light receiving element 31 is narrowed when the angle 81C of the glass block 81 is less than 45 degrees. As a result, it is possible to use an inexpensive light receiving element 31, improve the response of the light receiving element 31 to an optical signal, reduce noise generated in the output signal of the light receiving element 31, and the like. The same applies to the glass block 81! / And the force described above!

[0058] (Third embodiment)

First, the configuration of the optical communication system according to the third embodiment will be described.

[0059] Of the configuration of the optical communication system according to the present embodiment, the configuration similar to the configuration of the optical communication system 10 according to the first embodiment (see Fig. 1) is the same as that of the optical communication system 10. The same reference numerals as those in FIG.

The configuration of the optical communication system according to the present embodiment includes a configuration in which the optical communication system 10 includes the mechanical optical path switching device 180 shown in FIG. 9 instead of the optical path switching device 20 (see FIG. 3). It is the same.

The configuration of the optical path switching device 180 is that the optical path switching device 20 includes the reflection mirrors 181 and 182 that reflect all of the incident light instead of the reflection mirrors 29 and 30 (see FIG. 3). This is the same as the configuration with 32 fixed positions changed.

[0062] The reflection mirror 181 is inserted between the optical fiber 23a and the lens 23b and fixed to the platform 22. The reflection mirror 182 is interposed between the optical fiber 24a and the lens 24b. And is fixed to the platform 22. The light receiving element 31 is fixed to the housing 21 at a position on the direction side indicated by an arrow 22b (see FIG. 2) with respect to the light receiving element 32. The light receiving element 32 is fixed to the platform 22. The reflecting mirror 181 is tilted and fixed to the platform 22 so that the reflected light reaches the light receiving element 31 without being blocked by the optical fiber collimator 24.

As shown in FIG. 10, the reflecting mirror 182 is a position where only a part of the light 24A output from the optical fiber 24a on the radially outer side (hereinafter described as 5% as an example) is incident. As a result, 5% of the light 24A output from the optical fiber 24a is reflected. The same applies to the force reflecting mirror 181 described for the reflecting mirror 182.

The operation of the optical communication system according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as the operation of optical communication system 10 (see FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. .

[0066] The light in the optical path switching device 180 is determined by the control device 14 that the line connected to the optical fiber collimator 23 has failed. When the control device 14 determines that a failure has occurred in the line connected to the optical fiber collimator 23, the process proceeds as indicated by the dotted arrow in FIG. 9 (b).

[0067] As described above, the optical path switching device 180 branches only a part of the light output from the optical fibers 23a and 24a by the reflecting mirrors 181 and 182 on the radially outer side. The light receiving elements 31 and 32 are used to detect the received light, so that the loss of light for monitoring is suppressed and the light confinement efficiency for the output optical fiber is improved. .

[0068] Further, the optical path switching device 180 is downsized because the reflection mirror 181 is inserted between the optical fiber 23a and the lens 23b, and the reflection mirror 182 is inserted between the optical fiber 24a and the lens 24b. can do.

[0069] (Fourth embodiment)

First, the configuration of the optical communication system according to the fourth embodiment will be described.

[0070] Of the configuration of the optical communication system according to the present embodiment, the configuration according to the first embodiment The same components as those of the optical communication system 10 (see FIG. 1) are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the optical communication system 10 and detailed description thereof is omitted.

The configuration of the optical communication system according to the present embodiment is a configuration in which the optical communication system 10 includes the mechanical optical path switching device 200 shown in FIG. 11 in place of the optical path switching device 20 (see FIG. 3). Is the same.

[0072] The configuration of the optical path switching apparatus 200 includes the reflection mirrors 201 and 202 that reflect all of the incident light, instead of the reflection mirrors 29 and 30 (see FIG. 3). This is the same as the configuration with 32 fixed positions changed.

[0073] The reflection mirrors 201 and 202 are fixed in the lenses 23b and 24b, respectively. The light receiving element 31 is fixed to the housing 21 at a position on the direction side indicated by an arrow 22b (see FIG. 2) with respect to the light receiving element 32. The light receiving element 32 is fixed to the platform 22. The reflection mirror 201 is tilted and fixed to the lens 23b so that the reflected light reaches the light receiving element 31 without being blocked by the optical fiber collimator 24.

As shown in FIG. 12, the reflection mirror 202 is a position where only a part of the light 24A output from the optical fiber 24a on the radially outer side (hereinafter described as 5% as an example) is incident. As a result, 5% of the light 24A output from the optical fiber 24a is reflected. The same applies to the force reflecting mirror 201 described for the reflecting mirror 202. As an alternative to the reflecting mirror 202, as shown in FIG. 13, the lens 24b can be cut into a slant and a reflecting film can be formed on the slope 202 formed there.

Since the operation of the optical communication system according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as the operation of the optical communication system 10 (see FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted. .

[0077] The light in the optical path switching device 200 is indicated by a dotted arrow in FIG. 11 (a) when the control device 14 determines that there is no failure in the line connected to the optical fiber collimator 23. When the controller 14 determines that a failure has occurred in the line connected to the optical fiber collimator 23, the process proceeds as indicated by the dotted arrow in FIG. 11 (b).

As described above, the optical path switching device 200 branches only a part of the light that is output from the optical fibers 23 and 24 by the reflecting mirrors 201 and 202 on the radially outer side. In this configuration, the light receiving elements 31 and 32 are configured to detect the received light, so that the loss of light for monitoring is suppressed and the light confinement efficiency for the output optical fiber is improved.

[0079] In addition, since the reflection mirrors 201 and 202 are respectively fixed in the lenses 23b and 24b, the optical path switching device 200 can be reduced in size and can be easily manufactured.

[0080] (Fifth embodiment)

First, the configuration of the optical communication system according to the fifth embodiment will be described.

Of the configuration of the optical communication system according to the present embodiment, the configuration similar to the configuration of the optical communication system 10 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 1) is the same as that of the optical communication system 10. The same reference numerals as those in FIG.

The configuration of the optical communication system according to the present embodiment is a configuration in which the optical communication system 10 includes the mechanical optical path switching device 220 shown in FIG. 14 instead of the optical path switching device 20 (see FIG. 3). Is the same.

[0083] The configuration of the optical path switching device 220 is one optical fiber collimator to which an optical signal from one of the two lines branched by the optical branch device 13 (see Fig. 1) and an optical signal from the other are input. The optical path switching device 20 is provided in place of the optical fiber collimators 23 and 24 (see FIG. 3), and the fixing position of the reflection mirror 30 and the light receiving element 32 with respect to the platform 22 is changed.

The optical fiber collimator 221 is fixed to the platform 22.

[0085] The optical fiber collimator 221 includes an optical fiber 221a to which an optical signal of one of the two lines branched by the optical branching device 13 is input, and the other of the two lines branched by the optical branching device 13. An optical fiber 221b to which an optical signal is input and a lens 221c are configured.

As in the first embodiment, the reflection mirrors 29 and 30 are only a part of the light output from the optical fiber collimator 221 in the width direction (hereinafter described as 5% as an example). It is arranged so that 5% of the light output from the optical fiber collimator 221 is reflected by being arranged at the position where the light is incident. Next, the operation of the optical communication system according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0088] The operation of the optical communication system according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as the operation of optical communication system 10 (see Fig. 1) according to the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. .

[0089] The light in the optical path switching device 220 causes the line connected to the optical fiber 221a to fail and the control device 14 determines that the line is connected to the dotted line arrow in FIG. 14 (a). When the controller 14 determines that a failure has occurred in the line connected to the optical fiber 221b, the process proceeds as indicated by the dotted arrow in FIG. 14 (b).

[0090] As described above, the optical path switching device 220 branches only a part of the light output from the optical fibers 23, 24 by the reflecting mirrors 29, 30 outside in the radial direction. Since the light is detected by the light receiving elements 31 and 32, the loss of light for monitoring is suppressed, and the light confinement efficiency for the output optical fiber is improved.

Further, the optical path switching device 220 is an optical path switching device 20 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 3).

As shown in Fig. 3, the optical fiber collimator 23, 24 (see Fig. 3) has one optical fiber collimator 221, so the number of steps for fixing optical components to the platform 22 can be reduced. .

Note that the optical path switching device 220 is similar to the optical path switching device 20 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 5); The reflection mirrors 29 and 30 are placed on the platform 22a so that a part of the light output from the optical fiber collimator 221 is reflected in the downward direction indicated by the arrow 22a. It may be tilted and fixed.

[0093] (Sixth embodiment)

First, the configuration of the optical communication system according to the sixth embodiment will be described.

Of the configuration of the optical communication system according to the present embodiment, the same configuration as the configuration of the optical communication system according to the fifth embodiment is the same as that of the optical communication system according to the fifth embodiment. The same reference numerals as in the configuration of the stem are attached and detailed description is omitted.

The configuration of the optical communication system according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the fifth embodiment, except that the mechanical optical path switching device 240 shown in FIG. 15 is replaced with the optical path switching device 220 (see FIG. 14). Optical communication The configuration is the same as that provided in the system.

The configuration of the optical path switching device 240 is such that the reflecting mirrors 241a and 241b that reflect all of the incident light are replaced by the reflecting mirrors 29 and 30 (see FIG. 14) instead of the prism 241 formed of a film. This is the same as the configuration provided in FIG.

The prism 241 is fixed to the platform 22. As shown in FIG. 16, the prism 241 is a portion of the light 221A output from the optical fiber collimator 221 (see FIG. 15) via the optical fiber 221a (see FIG. 15). In the following, only 5% will be described as an example.) Only the light incident on the reflecting mirror 241a and output from the optical fiber collimator 221 (see FIG. 15) via the optical fiber 221b (see FIG. 15). By placing only a part of the 221B in the width direction (hereinafter described as 5% as an example) at a position where it is incident on the reflection mirror 241b, the light 221A and 22 IB output from the optical fiber collimator 221 is displayed. Reflects 5% of each! /

[0099] Since the operation of the optical communication system according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as the operation of the optical communication system according to the eleventh embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0100] The light in the optical path switching device 240 causes the line connected to the optical fiber 221a to fail and the control device 14 determines that the line is connected to the dotted line arrow in FIG. 15 (a). When the controller 14 determines that a failure has occurred in the line connected to the optical fiber 221b, the process proceeds as indicated by the dotted arrow in FIG. 15 (b).

[0101] As described above, the optical path switching device 240 branches only a part of the light output from the optical fibers 221a and 221b in the radial direction by the reflecting mirrors 241a and 241b, and the branched light. Is detected by the light receiving elements 31, 32, so that the loss of light for monitoring is suppressed and the light confinement efficiency for the output optical fiber is improved.

[0102] Further, in the optical path switching device 240, since the optical fibers 221a and 221b are both connected to the lens 221c, and the distance between the optical fiber 221a and the optical fiber 221b is constant, the optical fiber collimator 221 and the prism 241 Can be easily fixed to the platform 22 so as to satisfy the positional relationship shown in FIG. [0103] Note that the prism 241 is configured to reflect the light output from the optical fiber collimator 221 if the reflection mirrors 241a and 241b are half mirrors that reflect a part of incident light (for example, 5%) and transmit the remaining part. The entire size may be incident on the reflecting mirrors 241a and 241b.

[Seventh Embodiment]

First, the configuration of the optical communication system according to the seventh embodiment will be described.

Note that, in the configuration of the optical communication system according to the present embodiment, the configuration similar to the configuration of the optical communication system 10 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 1) is described. The same reference numerals as those in FIG.

The configuration of the optical communication system according to the present embodiment includes a configuration in which the optical communication system 10 includes the mechanical optical path switching device 280 shown in FIG. 17 in place of the optical path switching device 20 (see FIG. 3). Is the same.

[0107] The configuration of the optical path switching device 280 is the same as the configuration in which the reflection mirrors 29 and 30 (see Fig. 3) are removed from the optical path switching device 20 and the positions of the light receiving elements 31 and 32 with respect to the platform 22 are changed. .

As shown in FIG. 18, the light receiving element 31 receives only a part of the light 23A output from the optical fiber collimator 23 on the radially outer side (hereinafter described as 5% as an example). By being arranged at the position, 5% of the light 23A output from the optical fiber collimator 23 is received. Similarly, the light receiving element 32 is arranged at a position where only a part of the light output from the optical fiber collimator 24 in the width direction (hereinafter, described as 5% as an example) is incident. 5% of the light output from the fiber collimator 24 is received.

[0110] The operation of the optical communication system according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as the operation of optical communication system 10 (see Fig. 1) according to the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. .

[0111] The light in the optical path switching device 280 is determined by the control device 14 that the line connected to the optical fiber collimator 23 has failed. When the control device 14 determines that a failure has occurred in the line connected to the optical fiber collimator 23, the process proceeds as indicated by the dotted arrow in FIG. 17 (b). [0112] As described above, the optical path switching device 280 allows the light receiving elements 31, 32 to directly detect only a part of the light output from the optical fibers 2323a, 24a on the radially outer side. Because it is configured, the loss of light for monitoring is suppressed, and the light confinement efficiency for the optical fiber for output is improved.

Further, the optical path switching device 280 is the optical path switching device 20 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 3).

), It is not necessary to provide the reflecting mirrors 29 and 30 (see FIG. 3), so that the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the optical path switching device 20.

[0114] Further, since the optical path switching device 280 directly receives the optical signals output from the optical fiber collimators 23 and 24 by the light receiving elements 31 and 32, respectively, it is possible to reduce the polarization dependent loss.

Industrial applicability

[0115] As described above, the optical path switching device according to the present invention has the effect of suppressing the loss of light for monitoring and improving the light confinement efficiency with respect to the output optical fiber. It is useful as an optical path switching device for optical communication.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] at least one optical input means including an optical fiber and a lens for inputting an optical signal, and at least one optical output means including an optical fiber and a lens for outputting an optical signal; An optical path switching component that switches a light path between the light input means and the light output means according to a change in its own state, and a part of the light is detected to monitor the light input from the light input means An optical path switching device in which the optical path switching component is controlled in accordance with a monitoring result of the light, so that the optical detection component detects only a part of the light outside in the radial direction. An optical path switching device characterized by being configured.

[2] The light branching means for branching only a part of the light input from the light input means on the radially outer side, and the light detection component detects light branched by the light branching means. Item 4. The optical path switching device according to Item 1.

[3] The optical path switching device according to [1], wherein the light detection component is disposed at a position where only a portion of the light input from the light input means is radially incident directly on the light input component.